Originally Posted by
fatelk
I remember the phrase from a sermon that our previous pastor gave during a building campaign. He's a good man and I respect him as a pastor, but I kind of felt like he had some sermons from a book on how to milk the congregation for a building campaign. I think the actual phrase he used was something like "I'm not saying you're robbing God if you don't give 10%, but... you know... if the shoe fits..."
We raised the money and built a nice big building. After it was built the church went through some troubles. A lot of long time people left, they had to lay off the well loved associate pastor because they couldn't pay him and the big new mortgage. Then the pastor left on short notice to go to a mega-church out of state. He always liked mega-churches and the way they do things, with lots of flash and show. Again, a very sincere, good man, but with a little different perspective than myself.
People complain about churches, but the real problem with churches is that they are full of people. Even at our best we're imperfect, fallen creatures. If you ever find a perfect church you'd better not attend, because then it wouldn't be perfect anymore! :)